Inability to read files correctly

[Labran]

Hi everyone,

I am new in this community and I am a toddler in SAS. 

I am willing to write the SAS Base Programming Certification soon but I have challenges.

Currently trying to solve some SAS prep questions but I got 6 observations (all missing) with the two original variables from the SAS (input13.sas7bdat) dataset provided with the program below. Could anyone kindly help me fix the problem? 

Thanks.

***********************************************************************************

libname programs '/folders/myfolders/cert/programs';

data programs.output13;
infile '/folders/myfolders/cert/input/input13.sas7bdat';
input date charnum;
informat charnum dollar7.;
format date date9.;
run;

[Mark2010]

@Labran,

There is fair amount wrong with the code below (you don't need infile/input to read a sas data set, only a set statement). I think certification and the practice exam should take a back burner for the moment and take some time with SAS training. I would start with the Programming 1 eLearning, available for free.

[Labran]

Thanks @Mark2010 for your contribution. I have attended training in SAS but I still mix things up. I will appreciate if you can suggest resources that would aid my understanding of the programming language. Thank you.

[Mark2010]

The suggested preparation materials are listed on the credential web page.

There are a ton of tutorial videos on our training page and YouTube SAS Users Channel. (scroll down the training page for links).

[Labran]

Thanks @Mark2010 . The information you provided proved to be useful. 

[Reeza]

The first training course covers topics such as the SAS library and how to access data sets.

I would suggest re-taking it. Scroll half way down the page to the Free SAS training (not the 30 day ones)

https://www.sas.com/en_us/training/offers/free-training.html

If you read through this and understand it all, you'll pass the exam. Yes, it's long.

https://documentation.sas.com/?cdcId=pgmsascdc&cdcVersion=9.4_3.3&docsetId=basess&docsetTarget=title...

The Little SAS Book is another really good set of exercises to practice. 

https://www.amazon.com/Little-SAS-Book-Primer-Sixth-ebook/dp/B07Z7B5PZ6/ref=rtpb_4/143-6979487-64099...

I've compiled a list of mostly free resources here for specific topics. 

https://github.com/statgeek/SAS-Tutorials/blob/master/Base_Certification_Resource_Guide.md

And you can always search lexjansen.com for papers on specific topics. I suggest looking at the guide for the certification and ensuring you understand every topic listed and if not, do a deep dive using one of the above resources.

[Labran]

So much appreciation, @Reeza . I will go through the resources. Thank you.

[Reeza · Accepted solution]

You don't use infile to read a sas data set, you use infile for text files. 

libname input '/folders/myfolders/cert/input';

data output13;
set input.input13;
format date date9.;
run;

I'm not exactly sure why you'd be writing/saving SAS data sets to your programs folder either, that doesn't make a ton of sense IMO.  My suggestion would echo @Mark2010 to first take the full training courses to learn SAS effectively and then consider taking the certification exams when you're more prepared. SAS is not similar to R/Python so there may be a learning curve even if you do have prior programming experience. 

[Labran]

Whao! This is so simple and works absolutely fine. Thanks a million.

I have had training on SAS but I had a rough ride because I am new in programming. Although SAS may be tricky, It is interesting. I will appreciate your advice on what resources I need to go through to understand the programming language.